Christ - A Lamb

“Behold the Lamb of God!” John 1:36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
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“as of a Lamb without blemish or spot:” 1Peter 1:19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
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“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion,” Revelation 14:1And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
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In the first two texts, Lamb signifies strength; that is, not strong. This distinguishes him from the typical Lamb; and denotes also relation, for it puts in mind of the prophecies of Isaiah, and others, using Acts 8:32The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
See All.... The word in Revelation 14:1And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
See All... signifies a little Lamb and as tender in John 21:15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
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How, and in what respects Christ may be called a Lamb is as follows:

Metaphor

Parallel

The Lamb is a very innocent and harmless creature. Bullinger calls it a symbol of innocency. It doth no wrong or injury to any.

Jesus Christ is of a sweet, quiet, and harmless nature and disposition: “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,” Hebrews 7:26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
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The Lamb is made a prey of, and often worried by dogs, wolves and other evil beasts.

The Lord Jesus was preyed upon by devils and wicked men, who continually worried him, like hungry and blood-thirsty wolves, lions, and ravening beasts, whilst he was upon the earth, Matthew 4: 2, 3

The Lamb is a meek and patient creature, bearing wrongs, not seeking revenge upon them that strike and abuse him.

The Lord Jesus with a meek and patient spirit bore all those vile and grievous wrongs, contradictions of sinners, and horrid blasphemies, in the days of his flesh, without seeking revenge upon them. Austin saith, he is compared to a Lamb because of his mildness, Hebrews 12:3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
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Matthew 26:53Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
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The Lamb is silent, when brought to the slaughter, doth not cry, complain, nor strive, as other creatures do.

The Lord Christ was silent, when he was led to be crucified: “he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
See All... “He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.”

The Lamb is a lovely and very delightful creature; hence Uriah’s wife is compared to it, 2 Samuel 12:3But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
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Christ is the delight of the Father, very lovely in the eyes of saints and angels; nay, what was said of Titus Vespasion, may fitly be spoken of Christ, “He is the delight of mankind,” Proverbs 8:30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
See All..., Isaiah 42:1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
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The Lamb is a contented creature; let the shepherd put it into what pasture he please, it grumbles not, but seems very well satisfied.

Christ was abundantly satisfied to become anything, and to do whatever the will of his Father was, though it was to be abased so low, as to be born of a poor virgin, to live in a mean condition, and to have no where to lay his head, whilst he abode in this howling wilderness, Hebrews 10:7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
See All..., John 10:15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
See All..., 17, 18, Philippians 2:7Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?
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The Lamb is a clean beast, whose flesh God appointed for food; and the flesh of no beast, is more generally prized, especially at its first coming, than Lamb.

Christ was ordained of God to be the food of our souls; and there is no meat so sweet, or is so much prized by the godly, especially when they first receive him by faith, as this Lamb. “For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed,” John 6:55For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
See All.... Whosever hath fed spiritually on Christ, he desireth no better dainties.

The Lamb was appointed under the law for sacrifice, it was to be taken out of the flock, to be severed from the rest, to be killed a he-Lamb, and without spot, was to be offered up to make an atonement, and the blood to be sprinkled, &c.

Christ, the Lamb of God, is our only sacrifice. He was taken from among men, separated from sinners, truly man. He was a Lamb without blemish, no spot or stain of sin, could be found in him. He was slain or offered up upon the cross, to make an atonement for the sins of his people; and his blood must be sprinkled or applied to our consciences by faith, Hebrews 7:26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
See All..., 27, 1 Peter 1:17-19[17] And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
[18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
[19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
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Lambs are very profitable creatures, they enrich their owners; their fleece and skins are good for clothing. Also the money of the ancient Patriarchs was called a Lamb, because the figure of a Lamb was on it. Abraham bought a field for an hundred pieces of silver or Lambs.

Christ enriches all that have interest in him, or can lay claim to this Lamb; and his righteousness is for our clothing. No money will pass for current (as it were) with God, but Jesus Christ. He is the saint’s treasure; their estate and inheritance lies in Christ: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness,” 1Corinthians 1:30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
See All..., Isaiah 45:24Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
See All..., Jeremiah 23:6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
See All..., 33:16See All..., Revelation 19:8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
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The Lamb is a small creature to other beasts. A small sort of cattle.

Christ made himself of no reputation. In respect of his humanity, he is called a worm, as annotators expound that in Psalm 22:6But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
See All..., “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.” He was small and despised in the eyes of the great heroes of the earth.

There are several great disparities between Christ and a Lamb, but we shall pass by them, and only take notice of two or three.

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If the Lord Jesus was such a harmless, innocent, silent, and delightful Lamb, how doth this set out and aggravate the horrid sin of those who put him to death!

And how doth it magnify the love and pity of god to us, that he should be pleased to part with this precious Lamb out of his bosom, to be made a sacrifice for our sins!

From hence also we may learn how to live in the world, not to be high-minded, and seek great things for ourselves. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:
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Let us make him our example, when under suffering, and in the hands of wicked men, “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again;” let us not seek revenge, nor render evil for evil to any man. Romans 12:19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
See All..., 1 Peter 2:23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
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Moreover, let us be contented, as he was, whatever it pleaseth the Father to exercise us with, or in what pasture soever he sees good to put us.

And since he suffered so willingly for us, let us labour (when called thereunto) to lay down our lives for his holy Name-sake.

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